Curtain stretcher



Oct. 31, 1939. J. a WALKER ET AL CURTAIN STRETCHER 4 Sheets$heet 1 Filed March 29, 1937 WMN rfi H W W a T300 00 oo 1 w 9% v Sm .2 a0 00 00 c 0" 000900 0 00 60 0o 00 c0 i/owb 000090 0000 00 e9 0000 on 00 00 0000 as 00 00 00 00 0000 00 00 00 000 00 0000 oubMoo uvoo 00 as 00 w (w) x h J MW hm mm MN Kn R 0 WMW WITNE5% Oct. 31, 1939. J. s. WALKER ET AL CURTAIN STRETCHER 4 Sheets--$heet 2 Filed March 29, 1957 mil/arm 272. we

ATTORNEYS Oct. 31, 1939. J. 5. WALKER ET AL CURTAIN SI RETCHER 4 Sheets-$het 3 Filed March 29, 1937 INVENTOR 5 ATTO R N EYS Oct. 31, 1939. J. 5. WALKER ET AL 2,178,153

CURTAIN STRETCHER Filed March 29, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Patented Oct. 31, 1939 CURTAIN STRETCHER John S. Walker and Alverna M. Walker,

littsburgh, Pa.-

Application March 29, 1937, Serial No. 133,680

8 Claims. (CI. 45-24) Figure 1, showing the hook-pin element in both The invention relates to a curtain stretcher and more especially to a curtain stretcher stand and adjustable frame. l

The primary object of the invention is the pro- .5 vision of an apparatus of this character, wherein any number of curtains within reason can be conveniently stretched either of the same size or of different sizes, that is to say, with respect to the length thereof and such apparatus is readily ad- 0. justable to have the frame disposed at varying angles at the will of the user thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character, wherein the frame carries self-squared angle corner pieces, these having curtain pins or hooks enabling the curtains to be stretched, to be attached-with dispatch and thereafter hooked with'the side and end rails for uniform stretching throughout the extent thereof, the apparatus being of novel construction in its entirety.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus. of this character, wherein the curtain pins or hooks are concealed when not in use and are readily accessible for the attaching of a curtain or curtains for the stretching thereof in the use of the apparatus.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character, which is simple in construction, preferably made from 30 metal so as to avoid any sagging or bending thereof when in use and particularly during stretching operation, strong, durable,.thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation showing-by full lines one angular adjustment of the frame and by dotted lines several other adjustments thereof. Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan View of one 1 so of the rails of the frame and partly in section.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Figure 1, showing the hook-pin element in retracted position in full lines and in extended position in dotted lines. es; Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of retracted and extended positions.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing a slight modification. s

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, the section being taken on a different line of section.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the shell portion of the modified form shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective View of an assembly piece for the shell.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of another assembly piece for the shell.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of one of the curtain pins or hooks. I

Figure 13- is a perspective View of one of the corner angle pieces. 7

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view therethrough.

Figure 15 is a grip nut for a fastener employed with the apparatus.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a frame latch.

Figure 17 is a sectional view on the line ll-l'l of Figure 2.

Figure 18 is a perspective View of one of th brace pivot bearings.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary perspective View of one of the hangers for the curtain stretcher frame with parts detached.

Figure 20 is a sectional view on the line 28-26 of Figure 1. v

Figure 21 is a fragmentary top planview, partly in section, of a supplemental cross bar for use with the frame.

Figure 22 is a sectional view on the line 2222 of Figure 21.

Figure 23 isa fragmentary top plan view showing an extension jointfor rails of the frame.

Figure 24 is a sectional view on the line 2424 of Figure 23.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the curtain stretcher .or apparatus constituting the present invention comprises a pair of vertical posts or tubular uprights iii, each having a hollow base i 8, preferably of cone shape, forming a container and fitted with a removable plug 52 so that said r base can be filled with sand or other material to give weight thereto to avoid toppling over of the posts when in use. However, this base could be made flat and solid from cast iron of sufficient' weightand used without a filling for the purpose previously stated. Each post or upright is threaded in a collar or the like on said base for connection therewith. Supported by the posts or uprights I is a curtain stretcher frame A hereinafter fully described.

The curtain stretching frame A comprises adjustable side and end rails I3 and i4, respectively, each formed from sheet metal bent into a three-sided sheathing. The open side l5 of each side rail I3 has fixedly held therein the guide pieces I6 and I1, respectively, these being reversely angled to each other and the piece IT creating a pocketing space or channel I3 while slidably fitted in these pieces l5 and I! for projection at a downward angle from the said rail I3 through the open side I5 are stems I9 of ourtain hooks or pins 20, these being spaced uniformly throughout the length of the rail i3; and fitting about each stem I9 is a coiled tensioning spring 2i which operates between the frame member I6 and a cross-pin at the inner end of the stem to retract the said stem I9 so that normally the pin or hook 20 will be confined in the pocket I8 for concealment thereof. This spring 2| allows the pulling of the pins or hooks outwardly from the pocket i8 when it is desired to engage a curtain or curtains 22 therewith for stretching of the curtain. The open side 23 of each end rail I4 has fixedly held therein the guide pieces 24 and 25, respectively, the latter piece providing a pocketing space or channel 25 at the open side 23 and slidably fitted with these pieces 24 and 25 are the stems 21 of curtain pins or hooks 26, each stem being upwardly inclined or reversely to the set of each pin stem I9 and about each of said stems 21 is a coiled tensioning spring 29 which acts upon said stem to normally retract the pin or hook 28 into the space or channel 28 so as to thus conceal the same when not engaged with the curtain or curtains 22. These hooks or pins 28 are readily pulled outwardly for easy engagement with the curtain or curtains 22 when the latter are to be stretched in the frame A.

To prevent rotation of the respective pin stems I9 and 21, the same are preferably made square in cross-section and the guide openings in the rail members correspondingly shaped. It is here also noted that the reverse inclination of the stems I9 and 21 is to bring the pins 25 and 28, respectively, into substantially the same plane in their extended curtain-engaging positions, this being a necessary provision inasmuch as the side rails I3 and the end rails I4 are in different planes, as will be next described.

The side rails I3 are superimposed upon the end rails I4 and between these rails at their meeting points are self-squaring triangular shaped corner plates 30, each having the upturned and down-turned right angular abutment flanges 3I and 32, respectively, the up-turned flanges 3| being abutted by the side rails I3 while the down-turned flanges 32 are abutted by the end rails I4 and the right angular disposition of such flanges square these rails with relation to each other. The rails I3 and M, in the upper and lower plate portions of their sheathings, are provided with vertically aligned openings or holes 33 which are in longitudinal rows, spaced from each other and selectively accommodate bolt fasteners 34 for adjustably clamping the rails I3 and I4 together with the plates 39 interposed therebetween at the crossing points of said rails. Each bolt 34 carries a cleat 35 which functions to grip the under side of the end rail I4 next thereto while the bolt also carries a nut 36 having an upstanding longitudinally slotted wing grip 31 for easy adjustment of the nut in the tightening and loosening thereof. Thus it will be seen that the side and end rails I3 and I4 can be readily adjusted with relation to each other to increase or decrease the size of the frame for the stretching of a curtain or curtains.

The corner plates 30 have fitted therewith curtain pins or hooks 38, which are adapted for corner attachment with the curtain or curtains 22 on the initial placement of the latter in the frame; and thereafter the pins or hooks 20 and 28 are engaged with the curtain or curtains 22 at the sides and ends thereof at uniform intervals apart for sustaining the curtain or curtains in a stretched condition when carried in said frame A.

On the posts II] are releasably fitted collars 39, each having a notch 40 opening through its lower. edge for accommodating a holding lug M on the respective posts or uprights ID to hold the collars fixed against rotation on the said posts. Each of the collars 39 is formed with a pivot car 42 for a pivot 43 swingingly connecting thereto a bracket 44 riveted or otherwise fixed to each end rail I4 intermediate the ends thereof. In this manner the frame A is vertically swingable between the posts or uprights III for angular adjustment of such frame. The brackets 44, as stated, are riveted or otherwise fixed at 45 to said end rails I4 so as to be unitary therewith. Each collar 39 is specially constructed to slip over the post or upright so that M will engage in the lug notch 40 in the collar when the same is lowered upon the post or upright. These lugs 4| on the posts or uprights are arranged so that brackets 44 will hold the stretcher frame approximately at the waist line of a person so that the user of the stretcher is not required to bend low over for the placing of a curtain or curtains on the stretcher frame A.

The pins or hooks 38 act as holders for the curtain before placing the same on the pins 20 and 28 along the rails of the frame A and also serve as measurement points.

Slidably fitted on the posts or uprights III are collar-like latches or keepers 46 which are adapted to engage with a side rail I3 when in lowermost position to hold the frame A in a perpendicular position. These latches or keepers 46 hook over such rail I3 when the frame A is in perpendicular position.

Adjustably engaged with each end rail I4 in any of the holes 33 adjacent to the brackets 44 is a pivot bolt 41 having swingingly pivoted thereto a brace 48. Each brace 48 is pivoted at 49 to a coupling 50 fixed to each post or upright Ill. Thus by the use of these braces 48 the frame A can be sustained in a horizontal plane or at any angle thereto at the will of an operator in the use of the apparatus. The bolts 41 carry nuts 5I similar to the nuts 36.

Arranged crosswise of the frame A and upon the side rails I3 is a supplemental or auxiliary stretcher bar in the form of a tube 52 which is engaged by clamp hooks 53, these being selectively engageable in the holes 33 in the side rails I3 so that this auxiliary or supplemental bar can be held adjusted on the frame between the end rails I4; Within the tube 52 and carried centrally therein by end caps 54 is a rod 55 having loosely connected thereto curtain hooks 56, these playing in slots 51 in said tube 52 and being adapted for attachment to a curtain or curtains at one end thereof. This auxiliary or supplemental tube 52 is usable with the apparatus for the stretching of curtains of less length than that of the curtain or curtains carried directly by the frame under the adjusted set of the side and end rails thereof.

In Figures 7 to 11, inclusive, of the drawings, there is shown a modification in the build of each side and end rail wherein the sheet metal sheathing 58 at the open side 59 has formed at the top and bottom thereof bendable ears 60 while fitting within the sheathing is the inner guide piece BI and the outer guide piece 62, the latter being provided with bendable ears 63,'these being turned outwardly and backwardly over the edges next thereto at the top and bottom of the sheathing 58 while the ears 60 are turned inwardly and backwardly onto the said guide piece 62 and thus a rigid assembly results. Curtain pins or hooks 64 are slidably fitted on the pieces BI and 62 as is clearly shown in Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings.

In Figures 23 and 24 of the drawings, there is shown an extension clamp 65 bolted at 66 to ends adjacent to each other of extensible sections 6'! of a side or end rail so that the frame A can be increased in size for the stretching of larger curtains than those accommodated by the frame A when made up of the non-extensible side and end rails 13 and 14. Thus it will appear that the frame A is susceptible of varying capacity with respect to diiferent sizes of curtains to be stretched.

A curtain or curtains 22 are readily fitted in the frame A and when engaged by the curtain pins or hooks, both at the corners of said frame and throughout the extent of the side and end rails, a uniform stretching of the curtain or curtains is assured and by reason of the character of the pins or hooks one or a number, within reason, of curtains may be stretched at one time on the said frame. The curtain pins or hooks when not engaged with a curtain or curtains are concealed within the channels of rails l3 and I4 as hereinbefore set forth.

The nuts 36 with the upstanding wing grips 31 are limited in their movements under tightening adjustment on the bolts 34 so as to'avoid crushing action upon the rails of the frame A, in that the ends of said bolts will engage the grips 31 for limiting the inward turning of the nuts thereon. This is also true as to the nuts 5| on the pivot bolts 41.

The latches 48 are preferably of the double hook type so that one hook of each will engage with a companion rail l3 of the frame A and the other hook engage with the companion rail H of said frame and thus retain the latter in a perpendicular position on the swinging of said frame upon the pivots 63 to this position.

The stretcher bar 52 in lieu of being round and tubular can be squared and solid in cross section or otherwise formed, it being contemplated that this bar in its make-up be similar to the rails of the frame A.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus of the character described, comprising an adjustable frame including longitudinal side rails and transverse end rails, the respective rails being channeled lengthwise at their inner sides, pin elements including stem portions slidably mounted in the respective rails transversely thereof and having pointed hook members at one end, and spring elements yieldably holding said pin elements in a normally retracted position with their hook members within the channeled portions of the rails.

2. An apparatus of the character described, comprising an adjustable frame including longitudinal side rails and transverse end rails, the respective rails having re-entrant longitudinal channels in their inner sides, pin elements including stem portions slidably mounted in the respective rails for endwise reciprocation transversely of the rails, angular pointed hook members at the inner ends of said stem portions, said hook members being received in the channeled portions of the rails in a retracted position of the pin elements, and spring elements yieldably holding said pin elements in their retracted position and reacting to return them to such position.

3. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a stretcher frame having longitudinal side rails and transverse end rails, the respective rails being formed hollow, whereby to be internally chambered, the inner side walls of the rails being inset to provide longitudinal channels, pin elements including stem portions slidably mounted in the respective rails for endwise reciprocation transversely of the rails, the inner ends of the stem portions projecting through openings provided therefor in the channeled inner wall portions of the rails and having angular pointed pin extensions, said pin extensions being received in the channel portions of the rails in a retracted position of the pin elements, and spring elements yieldably holding the stem portions of the pin elements normally retracted and reacting to restore the same to such position.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a stretcher frame including a pair of longitudinal side rails and a pair of transverse end rails, one pair of rails being superimposed upon the other pair whereby each pair is in a diiferent plane, the respective rails being provided with longitudina-l channels in their inner sides, a plurality of work-stretching elements mounted in the respective rails for reciprocation transversely of the rails, each element having a work-engaging portion at its end normally concealed in the channel of the rail in a retracted position of the element, and spring means for yieldably holding said element in its normally retracted position and reacting to return it to such position, the several workstretching elements of one pair of rails being set at a predetermined inclination and the corresponding elements on the other pair of rails being set at a reverse inclination whereby, in the extended positions of the respective elements, the work-engaging portions thereof are substantially in a common plane.

5. In a curtain stretching frame, a rail struc- I ture comprising a hollow body of polygonal crosssection, said body reinforced internally by a transverse partition element and having its inner side wall inset re-entrantly to provide a longitudinal channel, the channeled portion and the inner partition having diagonally aligned apertures therein, work-stretching elements including stem portions slidably fitted for endwise reciprocation in said aligned openings, angular pointed pin extensions on the outer ends of the stem portions, said pin extensions being shieldably within the channeled portion of the rail in a normally retracted position of the stem portion, but, in an extended working position of the stem portion, said pin extensions being projected diagonally away from the rail, and a spring element sleeved on the stem portion of each Work-stretching element between the inner partition member of the rail and a stop on the inner end of the stem whereby to yieldably hold the work-stretching element in its normally retracted position and reacting to restore said element to such position.

6. The herein described rail structure for our-- tam-stretcher frames comprising a three-sided, polygonal, hollow metal sheathing, a transversely and reversely angled reinforcement of sheet metal secured within the sheathing at the open side thereof, said reinforcement providing an inner guide member and an outer side wall portion, the latter forming a re-entrant longitudinal channel in the completed rail structure, said inner guide member and outer wall portion thus provided having aligned openings therein, and a work-stretching element including a stern portion slidably fitted in said openings whereby to be guided in endwise reciprocation transversely of the rail, an angular pointed pin extension at the outer end of said stem portion, said pin extension normally shielded within the channeled portion of the rail in a retracted position of the stem, and spring means for yieldably holding said stem in retracted position and reacting to restore the stem to such position.

'7. lhe herein described rail structure for ourtain-stretcher frames comprising a three-sided, polyonal, hollow metal sheathing, a transversely and reversely angled reinforcement of sheet metal secured within the sheathing at the open side thereof, said reinforcement providing an inner guide member and an outer side wall portion, the latter forming a re-entrant longitudinal channel in the completed rail structure, said inner guide member and outer wall portion thus provided having diagonally aligned openings therein, and a work-stretching element including a stem portion slidably fitted in said openings whereby to be guided inclinedly in endWise reciprocation transversely of the rail, an angular pointed pin extension at the outer end of said stem portion, said pin extension normally shielded within the channeled portion of the rail in a retracted position of the stem, but, in an extended working position of the stem, said pin extension being projected diagonally away from the rail, and spring means for yieldably holding said stem in retracted position and reacting to restore the stem to such position.

8. The herein described rail structure for ourtain-stretcher frames comprising a three-sided, polygonal, hollow metal sheathing, a transversely and reversely angled reinforcement of sheet metal secured within the sheathing at the open side thereof, said reinforcement providing an inner guide member and an outer side wall portion, the latter forming a re-entrant longitudinal channel in the completed rail structure, said inner guide member and said outer wall portion having diagonally aligned apertures therein, the sheathing having marginal ear formations at its original open side and the channeled wall member of the inserted reinforcement having marginal ear formations in staggered relation to the ear formations of the sheathing, the ear formations of the reinforcement being turned outwardly and backwardly over the adjacent marginal portions of the sheathing and the ear formations of the sheathing being turned inwardly and backwardly against the adjacent marginal portions of the reinforcement, work-stretching elements including stem portions fitted slidably in the openings of said reinforcement whereby to be supported and guided inclinedly in longitudinal reciprocation transversely of the rail structure, angular pointed pin extensions at the outer ends of said stem portions, said pin extensions being shieldably Within the channel portion of the rail in a retracted position of the stem portions, and spring elements coiied about said stem portions between the inner guide member of the rail reinforcement and a stop member at the inner end of the stem, said spring elements yieldably holding the workstretching element in its normally retracted position and reacting. to return it to such position.

JOHN S. WALKER. ALVERNA M. WALKER. 

